Getting started laying track

[gscalerookie]

I’ve been doing the research and purchasing everything for the perfect outdoor setup. Unfortunately time just keeps passing. So I’ve decided to just lay a simple track layout and build off of that. At least i would have something going. Right now I have a grass covered space next to my garage that’s 14ft x 24 ft. My plan was to rent a dingo(walk behind skid steer) and take out 4-5in. Of that area. I would then add back gravel, weed fabric and crushed stone while tamping at the same time. My question is would this be a good start by at least prepping the area for the empire. Any suggestions or things to avoid?

Remove grass and soil
Lay weed fabric
Spread and tamp gravel
Spread and tamp crushed stone

I see post talking about digging trenches and have a floating track layout with ballast. Is my plan a good start? Should it be floating on something? Am i headed in the right direction?

 

[Paul M]

You're heading in the right direction. Lay of track is quite a personal thing, a lot of ways to get the same result, and some work better for others. If the ground is solid, you may get away with laying the ballast straight on top and floating the track on it, but it will need fixing in places to stop it moving too much and the ballast will spread. If you dig a trench, the ballast can be deeper and won't spread. Then again you might find it works better if you have a solid base with thr track fixed and ballast more ornamental than functional. And think about access, ground level looks great, but crawling around for maintenance etc isnt so great! There's going to be plenty of advice to read, and there's a track laying thread on this forum to read.

 

[JimmyB]

This is how I did mine, generally it worked, my only warning would be do not have gradients on curves, these can be problematic.

Railway Build Phase One

Phase 1 for me was to get a railway laid that I could eventually run a real steam locomotive on, my initial space was a little limite...

tumble-down-falls.blogspot.com

 

[dunnyrail]

Some good advice already given, some have laid bricks in the trench not my choice but it has been proven to work if you have some kicking around. A slightly better option is paviours as they can be bashed down better but as ever depends if you have any hanging around or a neighbour with a pile that you can cadge. Often given with glee as pleased to see back of them.

 

[curtis]

I went with the loose track approach and generally been happy. A couple of learnings I've had:

• As P Paul M said, ensure the ground below is firm. I had only just built the raised beds so the ground is still settling 3 years later. This requires periodic top up of ballast.
• One thing I'd change is some kid of block under the points. Although G scale is forgiving, points are where I have troubles and it's usually because the track is uneven either up/down or side/side. If I was building a layout from scratch now, I'd aim to ensure there was a solid base around the points to keep them level.

Also a broken brush head is great for spreading the ballast over the top of the track pour over the top and just keep brushing until it blends in. DON'T DO IT OVER THE POINTS (it takes ages to get all the stones out).

A couple of pictures of the final effect:

 

[Rhinochugger]

Gardens move, soil moves. If you keep the track base simple, then it's not a major job if it needs adjusting and re-levelling every few years.

 

[Madman]

What Curtis said about solid blocking of some sort under turnouts is a great piece of advice. Ask me how I know.

 

[JimmyB]

Gardens move, soil moves. If you keep the track base simple, then it's not a major job if it needs adjusting and re-levelling every few years.

Yes amazing where the ballast goes, so buy extra, otherwise when you want to top up, you can never find the same stuff again - don't ask how do I know, but then look at 12 inch to one foot, and ballast is different colours.

 

[jafordenyc]

I have yet to lay my track, but I plan to do exactly what you are suggesting, with a 5 to 6 inch trench and weed fabric. I'm also considering a layer of pavers at the bottom of the trench topped with a 3 inch perforated drain pipe w/filter sock to carry water away (I'm in the PNW). Gravel would be poured and tamped over that before laying track and adding ballast. The hope is that if I can manage drainage I will get less washout and shifting. Could be overkill? We'll see.

 

[gscalerookie]

I’ve hit a snag. I was trying to replicate a layout in the lgb track planning guide.pg 74. I acquired the parts from the list but can’t get it to go together. I even tried putting it in any rail. Any tips suggestions or maybe I’m doing something wrong. Maybe someone else can take a shot at any rail or scram etc ?

 

[dunnyrail]

I’ve hit a snag. I was trying to replicate a layout in the lgb track planning guide.pg 74. I acquired the parts from the list but can’t get it to go together. I even tried putting it in any rail. Any tips suggestions or maybe I’m doing something wrong. Maybe someone else can take a shot at any rail or scram etc ?

So where does it not work? To be honest the plan looks a bit off around the left outside curve.

 

[gscalerookie]

So where does it not work? To be honest the plan looks a bit off around the left outside curve.

For one it says it’s 14x10. Second I tried counting the pieces but I can’t seem
To understand where the 3-1000 go. Thirdly which ones are the short tracks?

 

[PhilP]

For one it says it’s 14x10. Second I tried counting the pieces but I can’t seem
To understand where the 3-1000 go. Thirdly which ones are the short tracks?

I think there are two on the inner loop, lhs just above the platform, and one just below the point, by the platform on the right?

PhilP.

 

[Gizzy]

For one it says it’s 14x10. Second I tried counting the pieces but I can’t seem
To understand where the 3-1000 go. Thirdly which ones are the short tracks?

3-1000(0) should be the 12 in Long straight tracks qty 3....

 

[Gizzy]

For one it says it’s 14x10. Second I tried counting the pieces but I can’t seem
To understand where the 3-1000 go. Thirdly which ones are the short tracks?

The 3 x 1000 tracks are the 12 in straights, which look to be where the engine shed is....

 

[gscalerookie]

So where does it not work? To be honest the plan looks a bit off around the left outside curve.

When I tried to rebuild it in any rail it doesn’t fit the 14’x10’ dimensions either

 

[SevenOfDiamonds]

Maybe someone else can take a shot at any rail

With my "50 free pieces" I've had to replace each 2 x 1060 with 1 x 10610 (as in green), and had to omit the sidings, but I seem to have made it sort of work (though not fit the size specified by a long way (5.5 x 4 metres?).



I had to omit the 1004 at "A" to get that loop to rejoin . . . and there are small disconnects at "B" and "C" but not so much that they can't be dealt with "a little flexing".

I also used a 1060 at "B" instead of whatever (four pieces???) they intended.

How far out from this is what you achieved?

Cheers

David

 

[gscalerookie]

With my "50 free pieces" I've had to replace each 2 x 1060 with 1 x 10610 (as in green), and had to omit the sidings, but I seem to have made it sort of work (though not fit the size specified by a long way (5.5 x 4 metres?).

View attachment 343434

I had to omit the 1004 at "A" to get that loop to rejoin . . . and there are small disconnects at "B" and "C" but not so much that they can't be dealt with "a little flexing".

I also used a 1060 at "B" instead of whatever (four pieces???) they intended.

How far out from this is what you achieved?

Cheers

David

Thank you. I took another shot at it and it turns out to be 19’x14’ actually and 3 small gaps

 

[gscalerookie]

Now I actually have to build a raised platform. I was hoping I could drop it on my deck just to get something running and save a few dollars. Oh well I guess!

 

[dunnyrail]

For one it says it’s 14x10. Second I tried counting the pieces but I can’t seem
To understand where the 3-1000 go. Thirdly which ones are the short tracks?

From what I can see most of the straights appear to be 1000 type, short sections appear to be where the arrows are in the pic below. I would suggest making up what works then see where you are. This is a very odd track plan by LGB typicalling I believe making you buy more track than is really needed to make a balanced interesting line.

The long line to the loco shed looks very odd to me, also a couple of very short sidings could do with a remodel. Far better woukd be to loose that short siding on the loop at the bottom left using the point at the end of the loop to make a balanced curve at the bottom of the line. You could then use a left in the loop to make a slightly shorter shed line. The spare right point could make a third loop on the right hand station. Any spare track could be possibly used on sidings to the right station.